Method and device for playing a game in which values of game pieces are gradually revealed

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a method and device for playing a game in which values of a game piece are gradually revealed. A cover is magnetically attached to a game piece. The cover can be slid or moved to gradually reveal values on the game piece.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 11/190,294, filed Jul. 27, 2005, the entirety of which ishereby incorporated by reference into this application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to games, such as a game in which a value of gamepieces are gradually revealed.

2. Description of Related Art

Variations in card games using card point values are known. In gamessuch as black jack, a point value of cards is each player's hand isadded together to determine the value of the hand after the player hadthe opportunity to be dealt additional cards. Different hands arecompared to determine the winning hand, such as comparing the handagainst the dealer hand.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,632,486 describes a method of playing a card game usinga card number subtracting technique in which cards of the playing deckare assigned numerical point values. Eights, nines and tens are removedfrom the standard deck to establish a deck of forty cards. Each numberedcard is assigned its point value. Each ace is assigned a value of one.Each face card is assigned a value of zero. Two cards are initiallydealt to each player with each player having the option of receiving athird card. If a third card is dealt, one of the cards is discarded. Thehands are compared to determine a winning hand as the hand in which thepoint value difference between the two cards in the hand is closest tozero.

It is desirable to provide a device for enhancing a player's interestduring playing of a card game.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method and device for playing a gamein which values of a game piece are gradually revealed. In oneembodiment, a housing receives a game piece. The housing includes anopaque portion covering markings on the game piece. The opaque portionis movable for gradually revealing at least one marking on the gamepiece. The opaque portion can include a pair of movable doors. The doorsare moved laterally toward one another to reveal markings on outercolumns of the game piece. The doors are moved vertically for revealingmarkings on an inner column of the game piece. For example, the gamepiece can be a conventional card and representatives of a suit of thecard are gradually revealed with the revealer device.

In an alternate embodiment, game pieces are slid into or under arevealer device. The revealer device includes one or more opaqueportions to cover one or more markings on the game piece. The opaqueportions can be individually rotated or slid to reveal the markings onthe game piece.

In an alternate embodiment, a revealer device includes a circularhousing including a radial slot. A circular game piece includes a radialslot. Values are formed on the game piece. The slot of the circularhousing is placed adjacent the slot of the game piece. Rotation of thecircular housing reveals the values on the game piece.

In an alternate embodiment, a cover is magnetically attached to a gamepiece. The cover can be slid or moved to gradually reveal values on thegame piece.

The invention will be more fully described by reference to the followingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a revealer device in accordance withthe teachings of the game of the present invention.

FIGS. 2A-2J are schematic diagrams of game pieces which can be used withthe device of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the device upon movement of movabledoors in a horizontal direction.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the device upon movement of movabledoors in a vertical direction.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a rear of the device.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of an alternate embodiment of the deviceupon movement of movable doors in a horizontal direction.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of an alternate embodiment upon movementof movable doors in a vertical direction.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a rear of the device shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of an alternate embodiment of a devicewhich can be used with a game.

FIG. 10A is a schematic diagram of an alternate embodiment of a devicewhich can be used with a game piece.

FIG. 10B is a schematic diagram of a game piece which can be used withthe device of FIG. 10A.

FIG. 10C is a schematic diagram of the device and game piece duringplay.

FIGS. 11A-11C are schematic diagrams of game pieces which can be usedwith the device of the present invention.

FIG. 12A is a schematic diagram of an alternate embodiment of a revealerdevice.

FIG. 12B is a schematic diagram of the revealer device of FIG. 12A beingdealt by a shuffler.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in greater detail to a preferred embodimentof the invention, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals will be usedthroughout the drawings and the description to refer to the same or likeparts.

FIGS. 1-4 are schematic diagrams of revealer device 10 for graduallyrevealing values of a game piece in accordance with the teachings of thepresent invention. Housing 12 includes slot 13 for receiving game piece14. Housing 12 can have a thickness which is slightly thicker than gamepiece 12. For example, housing 12 can have a thickness in the range ofabout 0.05 inches to about 0.25 inches. In one embodiment, one or moreconventional decks of 52 cards can be used as game pieces. In analternate embodiment, an Ace is used in addition to the numeric cards 2through 10. In an alternate embodiment, only numeric cards 2 through 10are used as game pieces. In an alternate embodiment, Mah Jongg tiles canbe used as game pieces. A number of Mah Jongg tiles are dealt to aplayer. Each of the Mah Jongg tiles is assigned the same point value asthe values on the face of the Mah Jongg tiles.

In an alternate embodiment, dominoes can be used as game pieces. Anumber of dominoes are dealt to a player. Each of the dominoes isassigned the same point value as the values on the face of the dominoes.

Housing 12 can have a shape matching game piece 14. For example, housing12 can be rectangular, square, round or oval. Alternatively, housing 12can have a shape which is different from game piece 14. Housing 12 caninclude opaque corners 16 a and 16 b. Opaque corners 16 a and 16 b areused to cover respective corners 15 a and 15 b of game piece 14, such asa conventional card. Corners 15 a and 15 b of game piece 14 typicallyinclude a representation of the value of the card 17 and arepresentation of a suit 18, such as shown in FIGS. 2A-2J.

For example, game pieces 14 can be a conventional deck of cards or tencards or subset thereof, such as an ace, two, three, four, five, six,seven, eight, nine or ten. Each game piece 14 can have a representativeof a suit 18 located in one or more of outer columns 19 a, 19 c or innercolumn 19 b of game piece 14. Alternatively, game piece 14 can includeother types of markings located in one or more outer columns 19 a-19 cor inner column 19 b.

Referring to FIG. 1, housing 12 includes opaque center section 21.Opaque center section 21 covers center section 22 of game piece 14 forcovering all representatives of a suit 18 of game piece 14, as shown inFIG. 2A. Opaque center section 21 can include a pair of movable doors 24a, 24 b. Movable doors 24 a, 24 b can be retained within tracks 25 a and25 b. For example, the distance between track 25 a and track 25 b has alength L₁ which is the same as the length L₂ of opaque center section21.

Protrusion 26 can extend from movable doors 24 a, 24 b. Protrusion 26can be pressed against by a user's finger for moving movable doors 24 a,24 b towards one another in a lateral direction of arrows A₁ and A₂.Upon moving of movable doors 24 a, 24 b toward one another, one ofmovable doors 24 a, 24 b can slide under the other one of movable doors24 a, 24 b and outer columns 19 a and 19 c of game piece 14 arerevealed, as shown in FIG. 3.

In this example, game piece 14 includes three representatives of a suit18 in each of outer columns 19 a and 19 c. Accordingly, game piece 14cannot be an Ace, 2 or 3, since these game pieces do not have arepresentative of a suit 18 located in outer column 19 a and 19 c, asshown in respective FIGS. 2A-2C. Game piece 14 also cannot be a 4 or 5since these game pieces have two representatives of a suit 18 located inouter columns 19 a and 19 c, as shown in FIGS. 2D and 2E. Game piece 14cannot be a 9 or 10 since these game pieces each have fourrepresentatives of a suit 18 located in outer columns 19 a and 19 c, asshown in FIGS. 2I and 2J. Accordingly, game piece 14 can be either a 6,7 or 8 since these game pieces each have three representatives of a suit18 located in outer columns 19 a and 19 c, as shown in FIGS. 2F, 2G and2H.

Referring to FIG. 1, housing 12 includes pins 27 a, 27 b adjacent topportion 28 of movable doors 24 a, 24 b and pins 29 a, 29 b adjacentbottom portion 30 of movable doors 24 a, 24 b. Pins 27 a, 27 b arereceived in slot 31 of housing 12. Pins 29 a, 29 b are received in slot32 of housing 12. Pins 27 a, 27 b and pins 29 a, 29 b retain movabledoors 24 a, 24 b in the closed position shown in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 4, during playing of a game, upon movement of movabledoors 24 a, 24 b toward one another in the lateral direction, pins 27 a,27 b and pins 29 a, 29 b are released from respective slots 31 and 32 toallow movable doors 24 a, 24 b to slide in a vertical direction of arrowA₃ for gradually revealing representatives of a suit 18 located in innercolumn 19 b of game piece 14. Movable doors 24 a, 24 b can slidevertically within track 35 positioned at bottom 34 of housing 12. Stops340 a, 340 b are positioned at top portion of movable doors 24 a, 24 b.Upon movement of movable doors 24 a, 24 b in the vertical direction tobottom 34 of housing 12, stops 340 a, 340 b contact edge 36 a, 36 b oftrack 35 to prevent movable doors 24 a, 24 b from being removed fromhousing 12.

In this example, as movable doors 24 a, 24 b move in the verticaldirection, inner column 19 b is gradually revealed to show onerepresentative of a suit 18 in inner column 19 b, as shown in FIG. 4.Game piece 14 cannot be a 6 since this game piece does not have arepresentative of a suit 18 in inner column 19 b, as shown in FIG. 2F.Accordingly, game piece 14 is a 7 because this game piece hasrepresentative of a suit 18 located in inner column 19 b, as shown inFIG. 2G.

In one embodiment, a pair of game pieces 14 having the same value can bereceived in slot 13. Game pieces 14 are placed back to back to showrepresentatives of a suit 18 on either side of revealer device 10, asshown in FIG. 5. Rear housing 37 is transparent for showing the value ofthe one of game pieces 18 through rear housing 37. Accordingly, if aplayer does not want to gradually reveal game piece 14, the user canflip over revealer device 10 for revealing game piece 14.

In an alternate embodiment, representative of a suit 18 or markingsrelated to game piece 14 are marked on inner housing 38. For example,representatives of a suit 18 can be imprinted or stamped on innerhousing 38 in columns 39 a-39 c, as shown in FIGS. 6-7. In thisembodiment, game piece 14 is not received in housing 12. Upon moving ofmovable doors 24 a, 24 b toward one another, one of movable doors 24 a,24 b slides under the other one of movable doors 24 a, 24 b and outercolumns 39 a-39 c of inner housing 38 are revealed as shown in FIG. 6.Movable doors 24 a, 24 b can slide vertically within track 35 positionedat bottom 34 of housing 12 for gradually revealing representatives of asuit 18 located in inner column 39 b of inner housing 38 as shown inFIG. 8. The same representatives of a suit 18 which are coupled to innerhousing 38 can be coupled to rear housing 37 as shown in FIG. 9. In analternate embodiment, revealed device includes representative of a suit18 integral with rear housing 37.

In an alternate embodiment, revealer device 40 can be used with gamepieces 14 as shown in FIG. 9. For example, game pieces 14 can be cards 2through 10 and an Ace as shown in FIGS. 2A-2J. During playing of a game,game piece 14 slides into or is placed under revealer device 40. Forexample, a dealer can slide game piece 14 into revealer device 40 orplace game piece 14 under revealer device 40.

Revealer device 40 can include one or more of opaque portions 45 a-lpositioned relative to columns 19 a-19 c to cover the representation ofa suit or markings of game piece 18, as shown in FIGS. 2A-2J. Referringto FIG. 9, opaque portions 45 a-l can be individually rotated or slid toreveal transparent portions 46 a-l positioned respectively directedbeneath opaque portions 45 a-l. Upon revealing of each transparentportion 46, the corresponding representative of a suit 18 or markingunderneath each transparent portion 46 is shown. The number of opaqueportions 45 a-l corresponds to the highest number of representative of asuit 18 or markings on the game piece. For example, there can be tenopaque portions 45 to cover ten representative markings of a suit on agame piece having a value of ten. In one embodiment, revealer device 40can be formed of plastic including opaque plastic discs to form opaqueportions 45 which are hinged to transparent plastic portions to formtransparent portions 46.

The selection of the order for revealing opaque portions 45 a-l can beselected by the player or can be a predetermined order. For example,during play, if opaque portion 45 a is selected, revealing oftransparent portion 46 a shows whether or not a representative of a suit18 is shown in column 19 a underneath transparent portion 46 a at upperportion 47 of game piece 14. Game pieces of 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 have arepresentative of a suit positioned underneath transparent portion 46 aat upper portion 47 of game piece 14, as shown in respective FIGS.2D-2J. Accordingly, if a representative of a suit is positioned incolumn 19 a, game piece 14 can not be an Ace, 2 or 3. Subsequently, ifopaque portion 45 j is selected, transparent portion 46 j shows whetheror not a representative of a suit is shown at lower portion 48 in column1 of game piece 14. Accordingly, if a representative of a suit is shownat 47 d, game piece 14 can be either a 7, 8, 9 or 10, as shown in FIGS.2I and 2J. Subsequently, if opaque portion 45 g is selected, transparentportion 46 g shows whether or not a representative of a suit is shown atupper middle portion 49 of column 19 a of game piece 14. Accordingly, arepresentative of a suit is shown at 45 g, game piece 14 can be either a9 or a 10. Subsequently, if opaque portion 45 e is selected, transparentportion 46 e shows whether or not a representative of a suit 18 is shownat upper middle portion 49 of column 19 b. Accordingly, if arepresentative of a suit is shown at upper middle portion 49 of column19 b, game piece 14 can be a 10. Various starting selections of opaqueportions 45 a-l can be used and the subsequent selection of opaqueportions 45 a-l can be determined until the value of game piece 14 isrevealed.

In an alternate embodiment, revealer device 60 comprises circularhousing 62 as shown in FIG. 10A. Circular housing 62 includes slot 63.Slot 63 extends radially from edge 61 to center 64 of circular housing62. Circular game piece 65 comprises circular body 66, as shown in FIG.10B. Values 67 are formed on circular game piece 65. Circular game piece65 includes slot 68. Slot 68 extends radially from edge 69 to center 70of circular game piece 65. During playing, slot 63 of circular housing62 is received in slot 68 of circular game piece 65 such that circularhousing 62 covers circular game piece 65. Circular housing 62 is rotatedto gradually uncover values 67 of circular game piece 65, as shown inFIG. 10C. Indentation 71 can be formed in circular housing 62 forreceiving a digit or thumb to push against circular housing 62 forrotation of circular housing 62 over circular game piece 65.

For example, circular housing 62 and circular game piece 65 can beformed of plastic, cardboard, laminated cardboard or paper, such as amaterial used in a conventional card.

In an alternate embodiment, game piece 104 can be used as game pieceswith revealer device 10 or revealer device 40. Game pieces 104 a-104 linclude one or more markings in outer columns 109 a and 109 c or innercolumn 109 b, as shown in FIGS. 11A-11C. For example, each of gamepieces 104 a-104 l include one or more markings in inner column 109 b.Game pieces 104 a-104 l each have a respective value 1 through 4 ininner column 109 b. Game pieces 104 a-104 d do not have marking in outercolumns 109 a-109 c and each have a respective value 1 through 4 ininner column 109 b resulting in respective values 1 through 4. Gamepieces 104 e-104 h each have two markings in each of outer columns 109 aand 109 c and each have a respective value 1 through 4 in inner column109 b resulting in respective values 5 through 8. Game pieces 104 i-104j each have four markings in each of columns 109 a and 109 c and eachhave a respective value 1 through 4 in inner column 109 b resulting inrespective values 9 through 12.

In an alternate embodiment, revealer device 200 comprises cover 202, asshown in FIG. 12A. Cover 202 has a shape substantially matching gamepiece 14. Cover 202 can have a shape matching game piece 14. Forexample, housing 12 can be rectangular, square, round or oval.Alternatively, cover 202 can have a shape which is different from gamepiece 14. Cover 202 can include opaque corners 211 a and 211 b. Cover202 can include magnetic means or be formed of magnetic material 203.Game piece 14 can include a portion of or be formed of magnetic material205. Cover 202 can be coupled by magnetic material 203 to magneticmaterial 205 of game piece 14.

Cover 202 can include surface 209 for receiving a digit or thumb to pushagainst cover 202 for movement of cover 202 over game piece 14. Surface209 can be a protrusion or indentation. Cover 202 is preferably opaque.For example, cover 202 can be formed of plastic, cardboard, laminatedcardboard or paper, such as a material used in a conventional card.

Opaque corners 211 a and 211 b are used to cover respective corners 15 aand 15 b of game piece 14, such as a conventional card, as shown inFIGS. 2A-2J. Corners 15 a and 15 b of game piece 14 typically include arepresentation of the value of the card 17 and a representation of asuit 18. Referring to FIG. 2A, surface 202 includes opaque center 210.Opaque center 210 covers center section 212 of game piece 14 forcovering all representatives of suit 18 of game piece 14. Cover 202 canbe manually moved laterally by a player for gradually revealing outercolumn 19 a and 19 c of game piece 14, as shown in FIGS. 2A-2J. Cover202 can be further manually moved laterally by a player for graduallyrevealing inner column 19 b of game piece 14. Surface 202 can bemanually moved vertically by a player for gradually revealingrepresentatives of suit 18 positioned within columns 19 a, 19 b and 19c.

In one embodiment, cover 202 is positioned within chute 220 of shuffler225 as shown in FIG. 12B. Game piece 14 is dealt from shuffler 225. Gamepiece 14 descends as chute 220 and cover 202 is magnetically coupled togame piece 14.

In alternate embodiments, revealer device 10, revealer device 40,revealer device 60 and revealer device 200 can be used with any cardgame, such as, for example, blackjack, poker or baccarat for increasingexcitement of the game. In alternate embodiments, revealer device 10 andrevealer device 60 can be formed of a material having sufficient weightsuch that the device can be used in an outdoor environment.

It is to be understood that the above-described embodiments areillustrative of only a few of the many possible specific embodiments,which can represent applications of the principles of the invention.Numerous and varied other arrangements can be readily devised inaccordance with these principles by those skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention.

1. A revealer device comprising: a game piece including a portion of orformed of a magnetic material; a cover including a portion of or formedof a magnetic material, said cover including an opaque portion forcovering at least a portion of said game piece using said magneticmaterial of said game piece and said magnetic material of said cover,said cover adapted for magnetically coupling to said game piece, saidopaque portion of said cover being movable for gradually revealing atleast one marking on said at least one portion of said game piece. 2.The revealer device of claim 1 wherein said cover further comprises: anopaque corner portion for covering a corner portion of said game piece.3. The revealer device of claim 1 wherein said game piece is a card andsaid at least one marking is a representative of a suit.
 4. The revealerdevice of claim 1 further comprising: a protrusion extending from saidcover.
 5. The revealer device of claim 1 further comprising anindentation in said cover.
 6. The revealer device of claim 1 whereinsaid game piece is a Mah Jongg tile.
 7. The revealer device of claim 1wherein said game piece is a domino.